The Dickinson press., 1887-12-31
FREEZING MUTTON.
SIGHTS NOT ALTOGETHER PLEAS
ING TO THE VISITOR.
Methods of an Australian Factory for
Freezing the Carcasscs of Sheep-A
Process the Reverse of Turkish Bath.
LOaIlinc.


Freezing the Carcasscs of Sheep-A
Process the Reverse of n Turkish Bath.
Loading.
Perhaps almost as much ghastliness clings
about the Australian meat freezing factory
as about the Chicago pig killing yard. Yet
visit to either is not without its interest.
The freezing factory stands, necessarily, in a
somewhat isolated position, for the conditions
of its existence are not such as to commend
themselves to those living i'll the neighbor-
hood, since the sheep are not slaughtered on
the runs, but i'll the factory yards The ma
chinery necessary for the freezing process is
very expensive and elaborate, so that conf
paratively few factories exist i'll the colonies.
Each, however, does u very large business,
and during the active season the number OF
Sheep killed per day is enormous. When the
scheme first obtained footing in New Zealand
squatters and farmers We're so sanguine about
the success Of the experiment. that many Of
them We're induced to enter into contracts to
send "home" certain number of sheep nl-
nually. At first the speculation caused q
loss: for the meat owing to imperfections in
the methods employed, and prciuiirrs ut
home, did not bring the price anticipated
TEN is still in vogue; but it is also open to
sheep owners to send their mutton home inde-
lendently and Oil the chance of getting u
good price. AS the sheep are not killed on
the runs, 1t is necessary that they should be
sent down to the factory. This is of course,
Il tedious process in parts, as Is flock of, say
1000 sheep may have tohe driven many miles
before they reach railway station, whence
hay ~ l,. ypI tn In
Sheep move very slowly, and five or six miles
n day is as much as the most active of them
will he lured into
THE FREEZING PROCESS.
Arrived ut length at the yards of the fac
tory. they are slaughtered, and the process Of
freezing begins. The scene is rather II horri-
Die one to u visitor. In the yards outside are
dense masses of sheep awaiting their turn in
more or less frightened anazeinent; i'll COW
cred Shed are the slaughtcrers at work lit
orally in Il sea of blood. Assistants stand be-
side them to skin and clean the animals, and
before many minutes are over the unfortu-
l!ate S!l.t'p Is 4 mere empty carcass hanging
from the low roof. The carcass is then
Shipped on hooks, which are attached to small
wheels running upon grooved rails i'll the
roof. Along this miniature trolly line they
are shot INTO the cooling department. The
process is Tie exact revcl>" Of Turkish bath.
The first room is of n moderately low tenn
pelatllr", and the first Stage of the freezing
begins. This is, perhaps, the worst part of
the Whole affair. On" after another the bod
les are rolled into tn" room and hung in long
lines from end to end. No idea can be con-
veyed of the sitting sensation experienced i'll
This grewsoEle chamber. Passing into the
second room, You will find less to upset YOU
The air is cool and even chill. The calcasses
have been exposed for twenty -four hours in
III" first room, and ar" now hardening, as
yon may perceive, if you feel them.
The process of petrication has begun. AS
you advance into the apartment this phe-
Aonenon is more manifest To the rap of
your knucliles the mutton gives back hard
ringing sound, and yon may gather that the
freezing is almost complete. After closing
behind You the door of the third and last
room, you find yourself in the Arctic regions
The roof is low, and n dense mass of white
is all that is discernible at first, for the light
is dim. Presently you make out pendant
forms shrouded i'll white linen coverings; and
ns you pick your way through the narrow
passages you get an idea of the vast number
collected here. 1t is the sioreroon, and prob
ably contains 10000 or 10000 carcasses
They are as hard as stone, and the linen
wrappings are stiff with frost. 1t is very
silent in here, and the white shrol,lcd forms
give an appearance Of mystery to the some
what uncanny scene. The freezing is accom-
plished and the sheep wait here for ship
mcit.